Goa Police urges Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to take Z security cover

PANAJI: Goa Police has requested Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to accept Z security cover during his stay in his home state following a letter purportedly signed by terror outfit ISIS threating to harm him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We have briefed Parrikar and requested him to take Z security cover, which he is entitled to as Defence Minister," Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) Bosco George told PTI today.

The former Chief Minister has been visiting in and around the coastal area without any security cover even after becoming a Union minister.

Goa Secretariat received postcard letter on January 13, purportedly signed by ISIS, in which it threatened to harm PM Narendra Modi and Parrikar.

George said police has advised Parrikar to take Z security cover ever since the threat has emerged. Authenticity of the letter, however, is yet to be established.

Goa Anti Terrorist Squad is investigating the matter.

As a precautionary measure, police have also changed their traditional wireless call signages.

"We have changed the signages now. They were reviewed as a part of security measures," George said.

This is for the first time since liberation (in 1961), Goa Police have changed their wireless call signages which are given for VVIPs, including Governor and chief minister.

The changed signages would be implemented from February 1 onwards, the SP said.

ATS sleuths are likely to question two government officials who went through the letter first.